8 Insane Ways Movies Tried To Save Money

Unlike most modern sci-fi (and even the sequels that followed it) 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture is quite a slow and meandering movie. There's an insane amount of dialogue and a noticeable lack of energy or excitement, leading to the film earning nicknames like "The Motionless Picture" over the years.

However, its special effects and production design are both top-notch, and it's these elements that were carried forward into Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan - literally - where they were complemented by a swifter, more enjoyable story.

Paramount blamed the negative response to the first film on its slow pace, so with the sequel, their goal was to make a more entertaining film, but for less money. This resulted in them removing Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry from the project (who had a big hand in The Motion Picture) and bringing in Harve Bennett to produce and write the film as cheaply as possible.

Bennett was known for being rather frugal, and he brought this mindset to his work on the Star Trek sequel. Over half of the film was shot on the same set as the original, with the bridge of the USS Reliant being a redress of the Enterprise's bridge, and the Klingon bridge from The Motion Picture being reworked into The Wrath Of Khan's torpedo and transporter rooms.

In addition, various models and miniatures were reused, along with many special effects shots. Shots of Kirk's shuttle docking next to the Enterprise, shots of Klingon ships, and shots of starships slowly leaving spacedock were all cribbed from The Motion Picture, slashing millions off The Wrath Of Khan's budget.